“We’ve become a fairly young department, and I think training is the best way to address that,” Greenlee said.

The new chief described his leadership style as “empowerment.”

“Get people the tools and training to do their jobs and allow them to do it,” he said.

Greenlee was valedictorian of the Amarillo Fire Academy Class of 1993 and subsequently rose through the ranks of the fire department. As district chief, he served as director of the city’s hazardous materials program and the department’s communications program, the release said.